Pipe joining material for connecting pipes

ABSTRACT

A pipe joining material for connecting pipes and fittings and a method of making a pipe joining material are provided. The pipe joining material may include a thermoplastic material such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and/or chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) and a bonding agent for the thermoplastic material.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 USC 119 fromCanadian Patent Application No. 2,829,075, filed on Sep. 27, 2013entitled PIPE JOINING MATERIAL FOR CONNECTING PIPES, the specificationsof which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

Embodiments disclosed herein relate generally to a pipe joining materialfor connecting pipes and fittings, and to a method of making a pipejoining material. Preferably, the pipe joining material comprises athermoplastic material such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and/orchlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) and a bonding agent for thethermoplastic material.

INTRODUCTION

Piping systems are used to convey liquids or gasses within, or between,residential, commercial, and/or industrial buildings. For example, mostresidential buildings have a potable water distribution system forproviding cold and/or hot water at one or more locations within thebuilding (e.g. sinks, showers, dish or clothes washing machines).

Typically, piping systems are made up of a number of componentsincluding straight or curved pipe sections, fittings (e.g. elbowfittings), valves, etc. to provide an interior flow path for the liquidbeing conveyed. When assembling a piping system (such as a systemcomprising thermoplastic pipes), it is generally considered important toensure that the components are joined in a manner that provides a sealagainst liquids or gasses flowing out from the interior of the pipingsystem through the joints, and in a manner that provides a durableconnection that prevents the components from separating due tomechanical and/or hydraulic stresses applied to the piping system.

Thermoplastic pipes and fittings may be joined by means of cement. It isknown that, to joint two surfaces together, such as a pipe and afitting, the joining surfaces should be softened and made semi-fluid.Sufficient cement should be applied to fill the gap between the surfacesto be joined. The pipe and fitting should be made while the surfaces arestill wet and cement is still fluid. In some cases, a primer may be usedto soften the surfaces to be joined.

While the basic steps are known, many different technologies have beendeveloped to provide a reliable technique to join pipes and fittings.Once an installation is complete (e.g., the interior walls of a buildingare finished or a piping system is buried under a road), accessing thepiping system to repair a leak is typically time consuming andexpensive. Examples of systems that have been developed include U.S.Pat. No. 2,961,363; U.S. Pat. No. 3,307,997; U.S. Pat. No. 5,252,157;U.S. Pat. No. 5,529,656; U.S. Pat. No. 6,149,756; U.S. Pat. No.6,431,282; U.S. Pat. No. 6,652,690; US 2001/0048223 A1; US 2006/0197338A1; and DE 10 2009 061 082.

SUMMARY

The following introduction is provided to introduce the reader to themore detailed discussion to follow. The introduction is not intended tolimit or define any claimed or as yet unclaimed invention. One or moreinventions may reside in any combination or sub-combination of theelements or process steps disclosed in any part of this documentincluding its claims and figures.

In one broad aspect, a pipe joining material for use in for connectingpipes and fittings is provided. The pipe joining material comprises:

-   -   (a) a thermoplastic material; and    -   (b) a bonding agent for the thermoplastic material.

In one embodiment, the thermoplastic material may be PVC and/or CPVC.

In another embodiment, the bonding agent may be selected from the groupconsisting of polyamide, ethylene acrylate, ethylene vinyl acetate(EVA), polyurethane, polyester, polyolephin, polycaprolacone, soyprotein and styrene block co-polymer. Preferably, the bonding agent ispolyamide.

In another embodiment, the thermoplastic material may comprise 1-95% ofthe pipe joining material by weight, optionally over 50% of the pipejoining material by weight or over 75% of the pipe joining material byweight.

In another embodiment, the bonding agent may comprise 15 to 95% of thepipe joining material by weight.

In a further embodiment, the pipe joining material may comprise materialthat increases the flowability of the pipe joining material. Optionally,the material that increases the flowability may be a plasticizer such asalumisol or a wax such as a microcrystalline wax.

In a further embodiment, the pipe joining material may comprise anantioxidant.

In a further embodiment, the pipe joining material may comprise aconductive powder.

In one embodiment, the pipe joining material may be in the form of acylindrical tube or stick. Preferably, the cylindrical tube or stick issolid at an ambient temperature and fluid at an application temperature.The application temperature may be optionally 60 to 200° C. or 100 to150° C.

In another broad aspect of the disclosure, a method of making a pipejoining material is provided. The method includes:

-   -   (a) providing a thermoplastic material;    -   (b) providing a bonding agent for the thermoplastic material;        and,    -   (c) mixing the thermoplastic material with the bonding agent to        obtain a mechanical mixture.

In one embodiment, the method may further comprise

-   -   (d) heating the mixture to a forming temperature and shaping the        mixture at the forming temperature; and    -   (e) cooling the shaped mixture to a temperature below the        forming temperature to obtain the pipe joining material.

In another embodiment, the mixture may be shaped into the form of acylindrical tube or stick.

In another embodiment, the pipe joining material may be solid at anambient temperature and fluid at an application temperature. Theapplication temperature is preferably higher than the formingtemperature, optionally, 60 to 200° C. or 100 to 150° C.

In another embodiment, the thermoplastic material and the bonding agentmay be provided in the form of a powder.

In another embodiment, the thermoplastic material may be PVC and/orCPVC. Optionally, the thermoplastic material comprises 1-95% of the pipejoining material by weight, preferably over 50% or 75% of the pipejoining material by weight.

In another embodiment, the bonding agent may be selected from the groupconsisting of polyamide, ethylene acrylate, ethylene vinyl acetate(EVA), polyurethane, polyester, polyolephin, polycaprolacone, soyprotein and styrene block co-polymer. Preferably, the bonding agent ispolyamide. Optionally, the bonding agent comprises 15 to 95% of the pipejoining material by weight.

It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that a method,apparatus or composition disclosed herein may embody any one or more ofthe features contained herein and that the features may be used in anyparticular combination or sub-combination.

These and other aspects and features of various embodiments will bedescribed in greater detail below. The methods, apparatus andcompositions described herein may be used to connect pipes of variousmaterials (e.g. metallic pipes, thermoplastic pipes) to create pipingsystems for transporting various liquids or gasses.

Furthermore, the methods, apparatus and compositions may have be appliedto different sizes of piping, and/or piping systems made of differentmaterials, and therefore may be applicable to piping systems forconveying potable water, non-potable or waste water, or other liquidsand/or gasses.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the described embodiments and to show moreclearly how they may be carried into effect, reference will now be made,by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a pipe cutting tool in accordancewith one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a partially-exploded front perspective view of the pipecutting tool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the pipe cutting tool of FIG. 1 withcertain components removed;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the pipe cutting tool of FIG. 1 withadditional components removed;

FIG. 5 is a partially exploded front perspective view of the pipecutting tool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a cutting apparatus of the pipe cuttingtool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an end view of the cutting apparatus of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is another perspective view of a cutting apparatus of the pipecutting tool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a cross section view along line C-9-C-9 in FIG. 6 of thecutting apparatus of FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of tool bits that may be used with thecutting apparatus of FIG. 6;

FIG. 11 is an end view of one side of the pipe cutting tool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is an end view of the other side of the pipe cutting tool ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 13 is an end view of the pipe cutting tool of FIG. 1 with certaincomponents removed;

FIG. 14 is an end view of the pipe cutting tool of FIG. 1 with certaincomponents removed, with the upper frame in another position;

FIG. 15 is an end view of the pipe cutting tool of FIG. 1 with certaincomponents removed, with the upper frame in yet another position;

FIG. 16 is an end view of the pipe cutting tool of FIG. 1 with certaincomponents removed, in a clamping position about a pipe of a firstdiameter;

FIG. 17 is an end view of the pipe cutting tool of FIG. 1 with certaincomponents removed, in a clamping position about a pipe of a seconddiameter;

FIG. 18 is an end view of the pipe cutting tool of FIG. 1 with certaincomponents removed, in a clamping position about a pipe of a thirddiameter;

FIG. 19 is an end view of the pipe cutting tool of FIG. 1 with certaincomponents removed, in a clamping position about a pipe of a fourthdiameter;

FIG. 20 is a front perspective view of the pipe cutting tool of FIG. 1with certain components removed, and with a pipe being supported by aset of lower rollers;

FIG. 21 is a front perspective view of the pipe cutting tool of FIG. 20with the upper frame in a clamping position, and a lever in a neutralposition;

FIG. 22 is a front view of the pipe cutting tool of FIG. 20 with theupper frame in a clamping position, and a lever in a neutral position;

FIG. 23 is a front perspective view of the pipe cutting tool of FIG. 20with the upper frame in a clamping position, and a lever in a chamferingposition;

FIG. 24 is a front view of the pipe cutting tool of FIG. 20 with theupper frame in a clamping position, and a lever in a chamferingposition;

FIG. 25 is a front perspective view of the pipe cutting tool of FIG. 20with the upper frame in a clamping position, and a lever in a groovingposition;

FIG. 26 is a front view of the pipe cutting tool of FIG. 20 with theupper frame in a clamping position, and a lever in a grooving position;

FIG. 27 is a front perspective view of the pipe cutting tool of FIG. 20with the upper frame in a clamping position, and a lever in a cuttingposition;

FIG. 28 is a front view of the pipe cutting tool of FIG. 20 with theupper frame in a clamping position, and a lever in a cutting position;

FIG. 29 is a front view of an end of a pipe that has been chamfered,grooved, and cut using the pipe cutting tool of FIG. 20;

FIG. 30 is a cross-section view of an example end of a pipe that hasbeen chamfered, grooved, and cut using the pipe cutting tool of FIG. 20;

FIG. 31 is a cross-section view of another example end of a pipe thathas been chamfered, grooved, and cut using the pipe cutting tool of FIG.20;

FIG. 32 is an exploded perspective view of two pipe ends and a hollowfitting in accordance with another embodiment;

FIG. 33 is an exploded cross section view of the two pipe ends andhollow fitting of FIG. 32;

FIG. 34 is a cross section view of the two pipe ends inserted into thehollow fitting of FIG. 32;

FIG. 35 is a cross section view of the two pipe ends and the hollowfitting of FIG. 32 after pipe joining material has been injected;

FIG. 36 is an exploded perspective view of a pipe end and a hollowfitting in accordance with another embodiment;

FIG. 37 is an exploded side view of a section of pipe being repairedusing a pair of hollow fittings in accordance with another embodiment;

FIG. 38 is a cross section view of the section of pipe of FIG. 37 beingrepaired using a pair of hollow fittings;

FIGS. 39 to 41 are cross section views of a pipe end and a housing inaccordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 42 is a cross section view of two pipe ends in accordance withanother embodiment;

FIG. 43 is a perspective view of the two pipe ends of FIG. 42 after oneend has been inserted into the other;

FIG. 44 is a front perspective view of a pipe sealing tool in accordancewith at least one example embodiment;

FIG. 45 is a rear perspective view of the pipe sealing tool of FIG. 44;

FIG. 46 is a cross section view along the line G-1—G-1 in FIG. 44 of thepipe sealing tool of FIG. 44;

FIG. 47 is a side view of the pipe sealing tool of FIG. 44 with a sidehousing removed and with a lever of the pipe sealing tool in a differentposition;

FIG. 48 is a partially exploded front perspective view of the pipesealing tool of FIG. 44;

FIG. 49 is an exploded view of a pipe joining material section of thepipe sealing tool of FIG. 44;

FIG. 50 is an exploded view of a drilling section of the pipe sealingtool of FIG. 44;

FIG. 51 is an exploded view of an actuator of the pipe sealing tool ofFIG. 44;

FIG. 52 is an partially cut away view of an end of the actuator of thepipe sealing tool of FIG. 44;

FIG. 53 is a cross section along the line G-1—G-1 in FIG. 44 of the endof the actuator of FIG. 52;

FIG. 54 is a side view of the end of the actuator of FIG. 52 with a sidehousing removed and with the actuator in a different position;

FIG. 55 a side view of the pipe sealing tool of FIG. 44 shown with anoptional drilling guide abutting a pipe section;

FIG. 56 is side view of an alternate pipe sealing tool in accordancewith another embodiment; and,

FIG. 57 is a cross section view along the line G-13—G-13 of thealternate pipe sealing tool of FIG. 56.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Various apparatuses, methods and compositions are described below toprovide an example of an embodiment of each claimed invention. Noembodiment described below limits any claimed invention and any claimedinvention may cover apparatuses and methods that differ from thosedescribed below. The claimed inventions are not limited to apparatuses,methods and compositions having all of the features of any oneapparatus, method or composition described below or to features commonto multiple or all of the apparatuses, methods or compositions describedbelow. It is possible that an apparatus, method or composition describedbelow is not an embodiment of any claimed invention. Any inventiondisclosed in an apparatus, method or composition described below that isnot claimed in this document may be the subject matter of anotherprotective instrument, for example, a continuing patent application, andthe applicant(s), inventor(s) and/or owner(s) do not intend to abandon,disclaim, or dedicate to the public any such invention by its disclosurein this document.

The apparatuses, methods and compositions may be used with pipingsystems made of various materials. The pipes and/or fittings to beconnected may be made of a thermoplastic material. The thermoplasticmaterial may be one or more of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS),PVC, CPVC, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polyethylene (PE) or the like.Preferably, the thermoplastic material is one or more of PVC and CPVC.The pipes and/or fittings to be connected may be made of the samematerial or they may be made of different materials.

The drawings exemplify the use of the apparatuses, methods andcompositions to connect sections or pipe together using a hollowfilling. It will be appreciated that the same apparatuses, methods andcompositions may be used to connect any parts of a piping systemtogether or to repair any part of a piping system. For example, theapparatuses, methods and compositions may be used to connect a pipe witha fitting such as a valve, splitter, or the like, or to connect onefitting with another fitting.

It will be appreciated that some apparatuses and methods may use one orboth of the pipe cutting tool and the pipe sealing tool disclosedherein. For example, in some embodiments, the pipe cutting tooldisclosed herein may be used as part of the apparatuses and methods. Inother cases, a different pipe cutting tool may be used or the fittingsand/or pipes may be formed with one or more of the grooves, passages,and/or chamfers disclosed herein. Alternatively, or in addition, in somecases the pipe sealing tool disclosed herein may be used as part of theapparatuses and methods. In other cases, a different pipe sealing toolor tools may be used.

Pipe Cutting Tool

Reference is now made to FIGS. 1 to 24, which exemplify a pipe cuttingtool 1000, which may also be referred to as a pipe cutting apparatusthat may be used with any apparatus or method disclosed herein or may beused by itself.

Tool 1000 includes a base or lower portion, referred to generally as1005, for supporting a pipe to be cut, and an upper frame or clampingmember, referred to generally as 1100, movable relative to the base forsecuring a pipe to be cut therebetween, as will be discussed furthersubsequently.

Tool 1000 receives a pipe that it to be prepared for the methodsdisclosed herein. Accordingly tool 1000 may be provided with twooptional pipe supporting trough extensions 1010, each extendingoutwardly from opposite sides of base 1005. Pipe supporting troughextensions 1010 are positioned and configured so as to support pipe thatis being machined by tool 1000, and are preferably sized to compliment atrough 1020 in the base 1005 that is configured to support a pipe to becut, as will be discussed further subsequently.

As pipe supporting trough extensions 1010 preferably extend asubstantial distance from base 1005, pipe supporting trough extensions1010 may be configured or reinforced to maintain their profile duringuse. For example, one or more stiffening members 1015 may be provided toprevent pipe supporting trough extension 1010 from bending and/or theprofile of pipe supporting trough extensions 1010 may be configured toprovide strength. It will be appreciated that in some embodiments, onlyone pipe supporting trough extension 1010 may be provided, and in someembodiments, no pipe supporting trough extensions may be provided.

Optionally, one or more adjustable pipe stops 1012 may be provided ineach pipe supporting trough extension 1010, to assist in positioning apipe to be cut so that a section of cut pipe has a desired length.Alternatively, or in addition, a ruler or the like may be included inthe extensions 1010 for use in determining where to machine a pipe.

Tool 1000 may also include an emergency stop switch 1030 and/or a safetyshield 1080 mounted to base 1005. Safety shield 1080 is preferably madefrom a durable, translucent material (e.g. poly(methyl methacrylate) ora similar translucent thermoplastic).

A visual alignment aid, such as laser pointer 1090 or a mechanicalpointer, may also be provided, such as by being mounted to safety shield1080 and/or base 1005, to assist a user in aligning a pipe to be cut.

As exemplified in FIG. 2, base 1005 may also have a support member forrollingly supporting a pipe as the pipe is machined. For example, base1005 may comprise a plurality of rollers for supporting and, preferably,rotating a pipe to be cut. In the illustrated embodiment, two pairs offirst lower rollers, 1330 a-b and 1330 c-d, are provided. Also, twopairs of second lower rollers, 1332 a-b and 1332 c-d, are also provided.As perhaps best seen in FIGS. 16 to 19, the first and second lowerrollers may be arranged in generally V-shaped trough 1020 in base 1005.This arrangement allows tool 1000 to be used to cut pipes of differentdiameters, with larger diameter pipes being supported by first lowerrollers 1330 a-d (see e.g. FIGS. 16 and 17), and smaller diameter pipesbeing supported by second lower rollers 1332 a-d (see e.g. FIGS. 18 and19) than are positioned below first lower rollers 1330 a-d.

A pipe that is positioned in tool 1000 is rotated as it is machined. Asexemplified, upper and lower rollers are provided. It will beappreciated that one or both of the upper and lower rollers may bedriven by a motor so as to rotate when the motor is energized.Accordingly, when the pipe is clamped between the upper and lowerrollers and the motor energized, one or more rollers will rotate andthis will cause the pipe to rotate while secured in position in tool1000. Preferably, as exemplified, the lower rollers are driven.

As exemplified, each set of lower rollers comprises two first forwardrollers and two second lower rollers. An advantage of this design isthat cutting apparatus 1200 may be used to cut a pipe in half withoutthe cutting tool contacting any of the lower rollers.

The lower rollers and the upper rollers may be mounted and optionallydriven by any mechanism known in the machining arts. Returning to FIGS.2 and 4, each of lower rollers 1330 a-d and 1332 a-d are mounted on base1005 using a bearing or bushing 1334 on each end of each roller,allowing the rollers to rotate about their longitudinal axes. Each lowerroller 1330 a-d and 1332 a-d also has at least one associated sprocket1335 a-d and 1337 a-d. One or more chains 1339 allow the lower rollersto be driven by motor 1300 via a sprocket and chain drive. A separatedrive shaft 1310 may be provided in base 1005 so that all lower rollersare synchronously driven.

First lower rollers 1330 a-d and second lower rollers 1332 a-d arepreferably made from (or provided with an outer surface comprising) amaterial that has a relatively high coefficient of friction with theouter surface of a pipe to be cut, so that a pipe can be rotated bylower rollers with minimal slippage. For example, where tool 1000 is tobe used to cut PVC or CPVC pipes, the outer surface of driven rollers,which are preferably the lower rollers 1330 a-d, 1332 a-d may be made ofor comprise a material having a sufficient coefficient of friction tocause the pipe to rotate. The material may be one or more of apolyurethane, silicone, rubber or the like. In some embodiments, lowerrollers 1330 a-d, 1332 a-d may comprise a layer of polyurethane,silicone, rubber or the like applied to an aluminum cylinder, forexample, by over molding. The outer surface of rollers that are notdriven, which are preferably the upper rollers, may be made of orcomprise any material in the material handling arts such as a metal orthey may be made of or comprise the same material as the driven rollers.

Preferably, first lower rollers 1330 a-d and second lower rollers 1332a-d each have the same outer diameter, and as noted above are preferablyrotated at a constant speed. As will be appreciated, this configurationresults in the lower rollers rotating a pipe to be cut at a constantsurface speed, regardless of the diameter of the pipe being rotated.That is, while a smaller diameter pipe being supported and rotated (e.g.by second lower rollers 1332 a-d) may be rotated at a higher number ofrevolutions per minute (RPM) as compared with a larger diameter pipebeing supported and rotated (e.g. by first lower rollers 1330 a-d),since the surface speed of each lower roller is the same, the surfacespeed of any pipe being rotated by the lower rollers will be the same(assuming no slippage between the lower rollers and the pipe beingrotated). It will be appreciated that first lower rollers 1330 a-d andsecond lower rollers 1332 a-d may rotate at different speeds and/or therate of rotation may be adjustable.

Looking at FIG. 2, upper frame 1100 preferably includes a handle 1105,which is used to move upper frame 1100 relative to base 1005. Biasingmember 1160 may be provided to bias upper frame 1100 towards an openposition, as shown in FIG. 1. Handle 1105 may be connected to framemembers 1125, which also support a pair of upper rollers 1130 a-b and acutting apparatus, referred to generally as 1200.

Unlike lower rollers 1330 a-d and 1332 a-d, upper rollers 1130 a-b arepreferably not driven, and are instead free to rotate about shaft 1205(see FIG. 5). In use, when a pipe is supported by first lower rollers1330 a-d or second lower rollers 1332 a-d, upper frame may be movedtowards base 1005 until upper rollers 1130 a-b contact the outer surfaceof the pipe, effectively clamping the pipe between upper rollers 1130a-b and first lower rollers 1330 a-d (for larger diameter pipes) (anupper clamping position) or second lower rollers 1332 a-d (for smallerdiameter pipes) (a lower clamping position). Once a pipe to be cut hasbeen clamped between the upper and lower rollers, engaging motor 1300(e.g. using switch 1120) causes the lower rollers to rotate the pipe tobe cut. This will also cause the upper rollers, if they are not driven,to rotate.

It will be appreciated that while the term “rollers” has been used, thatany member that permits a pipe to be rotatably supported in tool 1000,or to be rotated while supported in tool 1000, may be used. For example,a belt may be provided that extends between two rollers, at least one ofwhich is driven. Accordingly the belt may be fashioned similar to aconveyor belt. The belt may be positioned to engage and drive the pipeso as to cause the pipe to rotate while supported by non-driven rollers.

A single set of upper rollers is exemplified. The single set mayaccommodate pipes of any diameter. However, it will be appreciated thatmore than one set of upper rollers may be provided, each selected foruse with different sizes of pipe.

Upper rollers 1130 a-b are preferably made of a wear-resistant material,such as steel or aluminum, as the diameter of these rollers provides afixed reference diameter for a depth of one or more tool bits of cuttingapparatus 1200 engaging a pipe to be cut, as will be discussedsubsequently. These rollers may be mode from or may be coated with amaterial that has a relatively high coefficient of friction.

A lever 1110 may also be provided to allow cutting apparatus 1200 to berotated relative to frame members 1125. It will be appreciated thatcutting apparatus may be manually moveable as exemplified or it may beautomatically energized and moved when upper frame 1100 is moved to aclamping position.

A gripping surface 1115 may be provided on lever 1110, along with anoptional switch 1120 for selectively actuating motor 1300.Alternatively, it will be appreciated that motor 1300 may beautomatically energized when frame member 1125 is moved to a clampingposition.

As exemplified in FIG. 5, cutting apparatus 1200 and upper rollers 1130a-b are mounted on shaft 1205, which is supported by upper frame 1100.Upper rollers 1130 a-b may be mounted on one or more bearings 1132 oneach end of each roller, allowing the rollers to rotate about shaft1205. Preferably, bearings 1132 allow for axial displacement of shaft1205 relative to upper rollers 1130 a-b when reorienting cuttingapparatus 1200, as will be discussed further subsequently. Bearings 1132may be needle bearings.

As exemplified in FIG. 6, cutting apparatus 1200 may be configured tochamfer, groove, and cut a pipe. The machining operations may beconducted in any order. Preferably, the chamfering and grooving areconducted before the pipe is cut.

As exemplified, cutting apparatus 1200 includes a single cutter hub 1210mounted on shaft 1205 which is adapted to chamfer, groove, and cut thepipe. Accordingly, cutter hub 1210 may support a number of tool bits,including: one or more cutting tool bits 1220 and 1225; one or morechamfering tool bits 1230 a, 1230 b, and 1235 a, 1235 b; and one or moregrooving tool bits 1240 a, 1240 b, and 1245 a, 1245 b. In addition toslots in which the tool bits are inserted, a plurality of holes 1215 areprovided to allow set screws or other mechanical fasteners to be used tosecure the tool bits to cutter hub 1210. If provided, the additionalcutting, chamfering, and cutting tools bits may be configured forcutting pipes having a different diameter.

Turning to FIG. 7, in some embodiments a first set of tool bits 1220,1230 a-b, and 1240 a-b may be provided on one side of cutter hub 1210,while a second set of tool bits 1225, 1235 a-b, and 1245 a-b may beprovided on the other side of cutter hub 1210. As will be discussedsubsequently, the first set of tool bits may be used when machiningpipes supported in the first set of lower rollers, while the second setof tool bits may be used when machining pipes supported in the secondset of lower rollers.

It will be appreciated that, in alternate embodiments, more than onecutting hub 1210 may be provided. For example, a cutting hub may beprovided for chamfering a pipe, a cutting hub may be provided forgrooving a pipe, and a cutting hub may be provided for cutting a pipe.Alternatively, or in addition, a cutting hub may be provided formachining pipes supported in the first set of lower rollers, whileanother cutting hub may be used when machining pipes supported in thesecond set of lower rollers.

In some embodiments, cutter hub 1210 or the cutting tools may bemoveable. For example, in some embodiments, cutter hub 1210 may rotateor vibrate so as to cut a pipe. In such a case, the pipe may or may notroatate while in the tool 1000. Accordingly, the rollers may beconfigured to non-rotatbly hold a pipe.

Cutter hub 1210 may be non-rotatably mounted on shaft 1205 using anymechanism known in the machining arts, such as welding, set screws, akey or the like. As exemplified in FIGS. 8 and 9, cutter hub 1210 may bemounted on shaft 1205 using one or more T-shaped key members 1250 a-b.More specifically, a flange 1252 of each key member 1250 a-b may extendinto one or more slots 1207 in shaft 1205, preventing cutter hub 1210from rotating about shaft 1205, while allowing cutter hub 1210 to beaxially displaced relative to shaft 1205 when reorienting cuttingapparatus 1200, as will be discussed subsequently.

As shown in FIG. 10, cutting tool bit 1220 may comprise cutting surface1222 for cutting a pipe, and notch 1224 for securing cutting tool bit1220 to cutter hub 1210. Chamfering tool bit 1230 may comprisechamfering surface 1232 for chamfering a pipe, and notch 1234 forsecuring chamfering tool bit 1230 to cutter hub 1210. Grooving tool bit1240 may comprise grooving surface 1242 for grooving a pipe, and notch1244 for securing grooving tool bit 1240 to cutter hub 1210.

If additional cutting, chamfering, and/or cutting tools bits areprovided, then the tool may be adjustable to so that alternate toolsbits are engaged based on the size of the pipe that is used. Forexample, if one set of tool bits is provided for a pipe of a firstdiameter or range of diameters and another set of tool bits is providedfor a pipe of a second diameter or range of diameters, then the cuttingapparatus may be manipulatable to selectively present a particular setof tool bits for use. The tool bits may be manually selected orautomatically selected, e.g. based on the clamping position of the upperframe 1100.

For example, as exemplified in FIGS. 2 and 5, cutting hub may berotatable so as to present a second set of tool bits to machine a pipe.A handle 1135 may be mounted on a first end 1203 of shaft 1205. Handle1135 allows a user to reorient cutting apparatus 1200 relative to upperframe 1100 between a first orientation (which may be referred to as afirst position) in which the first set of cutting tools can be used tomachine a pipe, and a second orientation (which may be referred to as asecond position) in which the second set of cutting tools can be used tomachine a pipe. For example, the first set of tool bits located on oneside of cutting apparatus 1200 may be configured to engage relativelylarge diameter pipes, such as pipes supported by first lower rollers1330, while the second set of tool bits located on the other side ofcutting apparatus 1200 may be configured to engage relatively smalldiameter pipes, such as pipes supported by second lower rollers 1332.

As exemplified, handle 1135 allows shaft 1205 to be axially displacedrelative to upper frame 1100 and lever coupling 1140, so that a keyedsurface 1209 of a second end of shaft 1205 is withdrawn from acorresponding slot 1145 in lever coupling 1140, permitting shaft 1205 tobe axially rotated relative to lever coupling 1140. As noted above,bearings 1132 allow shaft 1205 to be axially displaced relative to upperrollers 1130 a-b, and key members 1250 a-b and slots 1207 allow shaft1205 to be axially displaced relative to cutter hub 1210.

Normally, engagement of keyed surface 1209 and corresponding slot 1145allows shaft 1205 and cutting apparatus 1200 to be rotated relative toupper frame 1100 using lever 1110. But when keyed surface 1209 iswithdrawn from corresponding slot 1145, handle 1135 can also be used torotate shaft 1205 relative to lever coupling 1140. It will beappreciated that rotating shaft 1205 also rotates cutter hub 1210, ascutter hub 1210 is non-rotationally mounted to shaft 1205. Thus, byaxially displacing and then rotating handle 1135, cutting apparatus 1200can be repositioned (which may also be referred to as reoriented)relative to upper frame 1100.

Keyed surface 1209 and corresponding slot 1145 are preferably configuredsuch that shaft 1205 can only be inserted into lever coupling 1145 inone of two positions, one for each set of tool bits. For example, shaft1205 may need to be rotated approximately 180° relative to levercoupling 1145 before shaft 1205 can be re-inserted into lever coupling1145. Additional positions may be provided if additional sets of toolbits are provided at differing angular positions around a cutting hub.

Preferably, a biasing member 1150 is provided to bias shaft 1205 towardslever coupling 1145. In some embodiments, keyed surface 1209 and/orcorresponding slot 1145 may be configured to present a cam surface sothat, absent a force applied to handle 1135, the force provided bybiasing member 1150 will also cause shaft 1205 to rotate relative tolever coupling 1145 and return to a position where keyed surface 1209 isinserted in corresponding slot 1145.

Upper frame 1100 is moveably mounted to base 1005 using any mechanismknown in the machining arts. As exemplified in FIGS. 2, 11, and 12,upper frame 1100 may be moveably mounted to base 1005, such as by usingpairs of opposing front slots 1062 and 1072, and rear slots 1064 and1074, located in opposing side panels 1060 and 1070, respectively. Asexemplified in at least FIG. 2, front slots 1062, 1072 are generallyarcuate, while rear slots 1064, 1074 are substantially straight.

Upper frame may move downwardly in any direction, but it is preferredthat the cutting hub travels generally vertically as the pipe ismachined, and more preferably, as the upper frame is moved to theclamping position and then used to machine a pipe. As exemplified inFIGS. 13 to 15, in which washers 1068 have been removed to more clearlyshow the position of pins 1066 relative to slots 1062 and 1064, thisarrangement results in shaft 1205 and cutting apparatus 1200 travellingin a substantially vertical plane 1260 (see FIG. 15) throughout itsrange of motion relative to base 1005. Preferably, this vertical planeis located substantially perpendicular to a horizontal plane 1360defined by the axes of the first set of lower rollers, and alsosubstantially perpendicular to a horizontal plane 1362 defined by theaxes of the second set of lower rollers.

As shown in FIGS. 16 to 19, this results in cutting apparatus 1200moving towards the longitudinal axis of a pipe to be cut, whether thepipe to be cut is supported by the first lower rollers, as shown inFIGS. 16 and 17, or whether the pipe to be cut is supported by thesecond lower rollers, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19.

The use of pipe cutting apparatus 1000 will now be described withreference to FIGS. 20 to 28. First, as shown in FIG. 20, a pipe to becut may be positioned so that at least a portion of the pipe issupported by either the first set of lower rollers or the second set oflower rollers. For clarity, safety shield 1080 is not shown.

In FIGS. 21 and 22, upper frame 1100 has been moved from the openposition shown in FIG. 20 to a position where upper rollers 1130 are incontact with the pipe to be cut. This position may be referred to as aclamping position. Note that, as exemplified, the upper rollers are incontact with the pipe to be cut but cutting apparatus 1200 is not incontact with the pipe in this position. It will be appreciated thatcutting apparatus 1200 may engage the pipe before, during or after theupper rollers are brought into contact with the pipe and the upper frameis moved to a clamping position.

In FIGS. 23 and 24, motor 1300, which in this embodiment is manuallyactuatable, has been actuated to rotate the lower rollers (therebyrotating the pipe to be cut due to the pipe engaging the upper and thelower rollers), and lever 1110 has been moved from the neutral positionshown in FIGS. C-21 a and C-21 b to a position where shaft 1205 andcutting apparatus 1200 have been rotated, and chamfering tool bits 1230a-b mounted on cutter hub 1210 have been brought into engagement withthe pipe and have lathed out a portion of the pipe to provide a pair ofchamfered surfaces.

In FIGS. 25 and 26, lever 1110 has been moved from the position shown inFIGS. 23 and 24 to a position where shaft 1205 and cutting apparatus1200 have been rotated further downwardly, and grooving tool bits 1240a-b mounted on cutter hub 1210 have been brought into engagement withthe pipe and have lathed out a portion of the pipe to provide a par ofgrooves in the pipe.

In FIGS. 27 and 28, lever 1110 has been moved from the position shown inFIGS. 25 and 26 to a position where shaft 1205 and cutting apparatus1200 have been rotated still further downwardly, and cutting tool bit1220 mounted on cutter hub 1210 has been brought into engagement withthe pipe and cut the pipe into two sections, with an end of each of thecut sections having been chamfered and grooved, as discussed above.

While in the illustrated embodiment, the tool bits are arranged oncutter hub 1210 in a staggered manner, so that in use chamfering toolbits 1230 a-b engage the pipe first, followed by grooving tool bits 1240a-b, followed by cutting tool bit 1220, it will be appreciated that thetool bits may be arranged on cutter hub 1210 so that a pipe is lathedand cut in a different order. For example, the grooving, chamfering, andcutting tool bits may be arranged on cutter hub 1210 to sequentiallygroove, chamfer, and the cut the pipe, or they may be arranged on cutterhub 1210 to sequentially chamfer, groove, and then cut the pipe.

Preferably, each machining operation is completed or substantiallycompleted before the next machining operation commences. An advantage ofthis design is that a smaller and/or lighter motor may be used. Forexample, the peak load placed on the motor by completing the machiningoperations sequentially is lower than the peak load if the machiningoperations were to occur simultaneously, and therefore a motor having alower rated power output may be used. As it may be desirable for tool1000 to be moved close to a position at which the pipes are to bejoined, reducing the weight of the tool 1000 increases its portability.

It will also be appreciated that there may be an overlap between thechamfering, grooving, and cutting operations, and that while therespective tool bits may engage an outer surface of the pipe in asequential manner, one or more of the operation may begin before apreceding operation has been completed. For example, grooving tool bits1240 a-b may be arranged on cutter hub 1210 so that they engage the pipeand start to groove the pipe before chamfering tool bits 1230 a-b havecompleted removing the material to form the chamfered surface on thepipe (e.g. before chamfering tool bits 1230 a-b have reached theirmaximum tooling depth). Similarly, cutting tool bit 1220 may be arrangedon cutter hub 1210 so that it engages the pipe and start to cut the pipebefore grooving tool bits 1240 a-b have completed grooving the pipe.

In other embodiments, the grooving and chamfering tool bits may bearranged on cutter hub 1210 so that the chamfering tool bits 1230 a-band the grooving tool bits 1240 a-b contemporaneously groove and chamferthe pipe, with the cutting member arranged to subsequently cut the pipe.Alternatively, the grooving, chamfering, and cutting tool bits may bearranged on cutter hub 1210 to contemporaneously groove, chamfer, andcut the pipe.

FIG. 29 illustrates an end of a pipe cut using cutting tool 1000,showing annular groove 115 and chamfered surface 110. It will beappreciated that the depth of groove 115 is dependent on the cuttingdepth of grooving tool bit 1240, being the difference between the radialdistance of grooving surface 1242 from the longitudinal axis of cutterhub 1210, and the radius of upper roller 1130. A deeper groove willenable additional cement to be injected. It will be appreciated that ifthe abutting surface to which the pipe is to be joined also has agroove, a shallower groove may be utilized. It will be appreciated thatthe radial distance of grooving surface 1242 may be adjustable or thetool bits may be replaceable so that tool bits having differing lengthsmay be used.

It will also be appreciated that the particular profile of groove 115 isdependent on the shape of grooving tool bit 1240 (and more specificallythe profile of grooving surface 1242). A wider groove will enableadditional cement to be injected. It will be appreciated that the toolbits may be replaceable so that tool bits having differing groovingprofiles may be used.

In some embodiments, grooving tool bit 1240 may be configured to providea rough inner surface of the groove. An advantage of this option is thatincreased surface area is provided for the cement to adhere to. FIGS. 30and 31 provide non-limiting examples of the types of groove profilesthat may be lathed into a pipe using cutting tool 1000.

Similarly, the depth and angle of chamfer 110 is dependent on thecutting depth and profile of chamfering tool bit 1230, being thedifference between the radial distance of chamfering surface 1232 fromthe longitudinal axis of cutter hub 1210, and the radius of upper roller1130. In some embodiments, the chamfering member is configured toprovide a chamfer of between 0.5° to 10°, preferably between 1° to 5°,and more preferably between 2° to 4°. It will be appreciated that thechamfering angle may be adjustable or the tool bits may be replaceableso that tool bits having differing chamfering angles may be used.

An advantage of chamfering the pipe is that, when a pipe is cut, the newend of the pipe is chamfered.

In some embodiments, tool 1000 may be used to chamfer, or grove andchamfer, the end of a pipe as manufactured. While the end of a pipe asmanufactured may be chamfered, the degree of chamfering may vary withinmanufacturing tolerances. By chambering the end of a pipe, the chamfermay be applied that is suitable for use with a hollow filling (e.g., theend of the pipe is machined so as to fit into a hollow fitting with asuitable or known spacing of the abutting surfaces).

In the illustrated embodiment of tool 1000, by providing two chamferingtool bits and two grooving tool bits in each set of tool bits (i.e.chamfering tool bits 1230 a-b and grooving tool bits 1240 a-b, andchamfering tool bits 1235 a-b and grooving tool bits 1245 a-b),apparatus 1000 is able to cut a pipe while providing chamfers andgrooves on each cut end. In another embodiment (not shown), only onechamfering tool bit and one grooving tool bit is provided as part ofeach set of tool bits of a cutting apparatus 1200, and as a result onlyone of the ends of a pipe is grooved and chamfered. Such an embodimentcould also be used to lathe an end of a pipe to provide a chamfer andgroove without cutting (or substantially shortening) the pipe end beinglathed.

In embodiments where only one chamfering tool bit and one grooving toolbit is provided as part of cutting apparatus 1200, upper frame 1100 maybe repositionable relative to base 1005 between a first orientation inwhich the grooving tool bit is located closer to a first end of base1005 than the cutting tool bit, and a second orientation in which thecutting tool bit is located closer to the first end of base 1005 thanthe grooving tool bit (e.g., the upper frame is rotatable about avertical axis or the upper frame is removable from base 1005 andmountable once rotated 180° about a vertical axis. An advantage of thisdesign is that the same tool may be used to treat opposite ends of along length of pipe, e.g., a 10-15 foot length, without moving tool 1000or rotating the pipe to present each end to the tool for machining. Forexample, a first end of a pipe may be grooved and chamfered (andoptionally cut) with upper frame 1100 in the first orientation. Theupper frame 1100 may then be repositioned to the second orientation andthe pipe may then be slid so that the other end of the pipe ispositioned at the location of the tool bits so that the second end ofthe pipe may be grooved, chamfered, and optionally cut without rotatingthe pipe about its longitudinal axis. This may be advantageous, forexample, where tool 1000 is being used in a long, narrow workspace (suchas a hallway) to lathe and/or cut lengths of pipe that are longer thanwidth of the workspace.

Methods for Connecting Pipes

FIGS. 32 to 43 exemplify methods and apparatuses for connecting pipes.These methods and apparatuses may use pipes machined using tool 1000.Alternatively, the methods and apparatuses may use parts of a pipingsystem that are used as manufactured or which are prepared usingalternate techniques.

The methods and apparatuses exemplified use an insertion fit, i.e., oneend of one part of a piping system is inserted into an open end ofanother part of the piping system. For example, FIGS. 32 and 33exemplify the use of a hollow fitting 600. As shown therein an end of afirst pipe 100 and an end of a second pipe 200 are positioned on opposedsides of hollow fitting 600. Hollow fitting 600 has a first opening 660in a first end 610 of the fitting for receiving an end of the first pipe100, and a second opening 670 in a second end 620 of the fitting forreceiving an end of the second pipe 100.

As shown, each end 610, 620 is provided with an injection passage (632and 637, respectively) that extends through the wall of the fitting.Each passage has an associated inlet 630 and 635. It will be appreciatedthat each end 610, 620 may have one or more passages 632, 637. Passages632, 637 may be pre-formed in hollow fitting 600, such as during themanufacturing process. Alternatively, hollow fitting 600 may bemanufactured without passages 632, 637 and the passages may be formed(e.g. drilled) prior to or as part of the connection process.

Also as exemplified, an annular groove 115 has been provided on theouter surface of pipe 100, and end 110 of pipe 100 has preferably beenprovided with a chamfer between an end face 105 and annular groove 115.Similarly, an annular groove 215 has been provided on the outer surfaceof pipe 200, and end 210 of pipe 200 has preferably been provided with achamfer between an end face 205 and annular groove 215.

To connect the pipes and the hollow fitting 600, the ends 110, 210 ofpipes 100, 200 are inserted into openings 660, 670 of fitting 600. Spaceis provided between the inner surface 665 of hollow fitting 600 and theouter surface of pipe end 110 for receipt of a pipe joining material. Inorder to form a complete seal, the pipe joining material must bereceived around the entire perimeter of the outer surface of pipe 100,200. Accordingly, an annular band of pipe joining material is provided.The annular band need not have a constant width in the axial directionof pipe 100, 200. Optional grooves 115, 215 provide a location for thereceipt of the pipe joining material so that an annular band of pipejoining material may be provided interior of the hollow fitting 600.Alternatively, or in addition, the pipe joining material may be providedin the gap or clearance between the inner surface 665 of hollow fitting600 and the outer surface of pipe end 110. The clearance is preferablyrelatively small (e.g. between 1/16″ and ¼″, preferably between ⅛″ and¼″).

As exemplified in FIG. 34, preformed passages 632, 637 are aligned withgrooves 115, 215 that are provided on the outer surface of pipes 100,200. Accordingly, it is preferred to provide a mechanism that permits auser to know when the passages are aligned with the grooves.Accordingly, the outer surface of a pipe 100, 200 may be marked, e.g.,with an insertion line or a different color on the outer surface, toindicate when the pipe is inserted a predetermined distance such thatthe passages 632, 637 are aligned with grooves 115, 215. Alternatively,hollow fitting 600 and/or pipes 100, 200 may be configured such that anend of a pipe may be inserted only up to a predetermined distance intohollow fitting 600. This may assist in aligning one or more features(e.g. injection passages, grooves) of the fitting and/or the pipe endwith each other. Therefore, a stop member may be provided inside hollowfitting 600. For example, as exemplified in FIGS. 33 and 34, hollowfitting 600 may comprise an interior ridge 640 that provides a firstabutment surface 646 against which a pipe end inserted into firstopening 660 will abut when inserted the predetermined distance and asecond abutment surface 647 against which a pipe end inserted intosecond opening 670 will abut when inserted the predetermined distance.

Preferably, abutment surfaces 646, 647 do not have a greater inwardradial extent than the inner surface of pipe 100, 200. Therefore,abutment surfaces 646, 647 will not extend into the flow path of fluidin the pipes 100, 200. Preferably, the inner radial extent of abutmentsurfaces 646, 647 are located proximate the inner surface of pipes 100,200 so that the transition from pipe 100 to pipe 200 is relativelyuninterrupted and thereby turbulence is not produced.

It will be appreciated that the outlet of passages 632, 637 are in flowcommunication with grooves 115, 215 when pipe 100, 200 is inserted inhollow member 600 such that a joining material injected into passages632, 637 will be received in grooves 115, 215. Accordingly, while it ispreferred that the outlet of passages 632, 637 faces the center ofgrooves 115, 215, passages 632, 637 may be off center from, and may beoff-set from, grooves 115, 215.

It will be appreciated that the configuring the pipe and/or the hollowfitting so that it is known when a pipe is inserted a predetermineddistance may be useful when passages 632, 637 are not pre-formed. Forexample, if passages 632, 637 are formed when pipe 100, 200 is insertedinto hollow fitting, then knowing the location of groove 115, 215 withrespect to hollow fitting 600 will enable an user (e.g. an installersuch as a plumber or other tradesperson) to form the passages so thatthe passages are in flow communication with the grooves.

Chamfering pipe end 110, 210 may facilitate inserting pipe 100, 200until end face 105, 205 abuts abutment surface 646, 647 whereby groove115, 215 and injection passage 632, 637 are positioned such that outlet633, 638 of injection passage 632, 637 is in fluid communication withgroove 115, 215. It will be appreciated that if pipe 100, 200 and hollowfitting 600 are appropriately sized, then chamfering may not be requiredto insert pipe 100, 200 into hollow fitting 600.

It will be appreciated that by chamfering the end of pipe 100, 200, theclearance between the inner surface 665 of hollow fitting 600 and theouter surface of pipe end 110 may not be constant but may increasetowards the open end of pipe 100, 200.

As exemplified in FIG. 35, after end 110 has been inserted into fitting600, a pipe joining material 400 may be injected to join the pipe endand hollow fitting 600. In FIG. 35, end 110 has been inserted intofitting 600 so that outlet 633 of injection passage 632 is in fluidcommunication with groove 115, allowing a pipe joining material 400 tobe injected into groove 115 via inlet 630 of injection passage 632.Similarly, after end 210 has been inserted into fitting 600 so thatoutlet 638 of injection passage 637 is in fluid communication withgroove 215, pipe joining material 400 may be injected into groove 215via inlet 635 of injection passage 637.

The pipe joining material, as discussed subsequently, may be selectedbased on the composition of the pipe and the hollow fitting that are tobe joined. Preferably, the pipe joining material is made of a similarmaterial to that of the pipe and the hollow fitting. Accordingly, oncecured, the interstitial space or clearance between the pipe and thehollow fitting has a similar composition to that of the pipe and thehollow fitting. For example, if the pipe and hollow fitting are made ofPVC or CPVC, then the pipe joining material may comprise from 1 to 95 wt% PVC and/or CPVC and from 15 to 95% polyamide, based on a total weightof the pipe joining material.

Pipe joining material may be injected in a fluid state, and may beinjected at a temperature of from 60 to 200° C., or at a temperature offrom 100 to 150° C. When injected at such temperatures, the pipe joiningmaterial may remain fluid until the interstitial space or clearancebetween the pipe and the hollow fitting is filled.

In some embodiments, pipe joining material 400 may be injected using apipe sealing apparatus 2000, as discussed subsequently.

When injecting pipe joining material into groove 115 via injectionpassage 632, the gap between inner surface 665 and the outer surface ofpipe end 110 may be sufficient (e.g., from 1/16″ to ¼″, preferably from1/16 to ⅛″) to allow air to escape as pipe joining material is injectedand fills groove 115, displacing the air from the groove. Alternatively,or in addition, one or more vent passages may be provided through thewall of fitting 600 to allow air to evacuate groove 115 as pipe joiningmaterial is injected. As exemplified in FIG. 36, a vent passage 650 maybe provided adjacent injection passage 632. It will be appreciated thatvent passage 650 may be provided an any angular distance around theouter surface of hollow fitting 600 from injection passage 632, 637.

In some embodiments, the pipe and/or the hollow fitting are configuredto inhibit pipe joining material exiting vent passage 650 until theinterstitial space and/or groove is filled with pipe joining material.For example, vent passage may be filled with a blocking material thatwill flow when heated by pipe joining material (e.g., a wax). Therefore,pipe joining material may be injected until the interstitial spaceand/or groove are filled with pipe joining material at which time theheat of the pipe joining material has heated the blocking material to asufficient extent that the blocking material can flow and permit pipejoining material to escape via the vent passage. Alternatively, or inaddition, a barrier 150 (e.g. a bead of cured thermoplastic material)may be provided in groove 115 prior to the insertion of pipe end 110into fitting 600, and pipe 100 and fitting 600 may be aligned so thatbarrier 150 is disposed between vent passage 650 and injection passage632, and acts as a barrier to pipe joining material flowing directly tovent passage 650. Instead, injected pipe joining material is directed toflow around groove 115 and exit through vent passage 650. Accordingly,pipe joining material exiting vent passage 650 may provide an indicationthat groove 115 has been substantially filled with pipe joiningmaterial.

Also, the gap between inner surface 665 and the outer surface of pipeend 110 may be sufficient (e.g., from 1/16″ to ¼″, preferably from 1/16″to ⅛″) to prevent a significant quantity of pipe joining material fromflowing out opening 660, 670 of hollow fitting 600 at the location ofthe gap between inner surface 665 and the outer surface of pipe end 110.Optionally, one or more seals (e.g. O-rings) may be provided on one orboth sides of groove 115 to ensure injected pipe joining material issubstantially confined to the annular cavity defined by groove 115 andinner surface 665.

Alternately, or in addition, the viscosity of the pipe joining materialmay be adjusted to reduce or inhibit pipe joining material from flowingout of the interstitial space into which it is injected, such as byflowing out opening 660, 670 of hollow fitting 600. It will beappreciated that, typically, the gap between inner surface 665 and theouter surface of pipe end 110 will increase with an increase in thediameter of the pipe being joined. Therefore, in accordance with amethod of this disclosure, a pipe joining material having a higherviscosity may be selected as the diameter of a pipe increase.Optionally, the colour of the pipe joining material may be colour codedbased on the viscosity of the pipe joining material at applicationtemperatures. For example, a pipe joining material having a viscosity of12,000-14,000 cps at application temperature may be used when the gap is¼″; a pipe joining material having a viscosity of 8,000-10,000 cps atapplication temperature may be used when the gap is 3/16″; and, a pipejoining material having a viscosity of 4,000-5,000 cps at applicationtemperature may be used when the gap is ⅛″. Accordingly, the sticks ofpipe joining material may be colour coded so that, depending upon thegap, an installer may select pipe joining material to reduce or inhibitleakage during application based on the diameter of the pipe or fittingbeing joined to a piping system.

In some embodiments, hollow fitting 600 may not be initially providedwith injection passages 632 and 637. Instead, injection passages 632,637 may be drilled through the wall of fitting 600, either before orafter one or more of pipe ends 110, 210 have been inserted into fitting600.

In some embodiments, injection passages 632, 637 and/or vent passages650 may be drilled using a pipe sealing apparatus 2000, as discussedsubsequently.

As noted previously, in some embodiments fitting 600 may not be providedwith an interior ridge. Such a fitting may be used, for example, whenrepairing a pipe that has been installed as part of a piping system. Asexemplified in FIGS. 37 and 38, repairing a pipe 500 may compriseremoving a section of the pipe to be repaired and leaving first andsecond spaced apart ends 510, 520 of the pipe to be repaired in situ. Ahollow fitting 700 may then be slid over each of the first and secondspaced apart ends 510, 520. Without interior ridges, fittings 700 can bepositioned (e.g. slid) over their respective pipe ends so that areplacement section of pipe 550 may be positioned between the first andsecond spaced apart ends of the pipe to be repaired, as exemplified inFIG. 37. Preferably, replacement section of pipe 550 is proximate thesize of the gap between ends 510, 520. Alternatively, fittings 700 maybe positioned (e.g. slid) over one or both ends of the replacementsection of pipe 550 so that the replacement section of pipe 550 may bepositioned between the first and second spaced apart ends. Once thereplacement section of pipe is in position, the hollow fittings may berepositioned so that they each overlie an end of the replacement sectionof pipe and an end of the pipe to be repaired, as exemplified in FIG.38.

While in FIGS. 32 to 38, the annular space or cavity into which pipejoining material may be injected was shown as being defined by anannular groove 115, 215 in an outer surface of a pipe end, it will beappreciated that the cavity into which pipe joining material may beinjected may be otherwise defined.

For example, turning to FIGS. 39 to 41, FIG. 39 exemplifies a pipe 100 ahaving groove 115 a inserted into a fitting 600 a. As with theembodiment of FIG. 34, pipe joining material 400 may be injected intothe annular region (which may also be referred to as an interstitialspace) defined by groove 115 a and inner surface 665.

Alternatively, as exemplified in FIG. 40, an inner groove 615 may beprovided in inner surface 665 of fitting 600, and an end 110 b of a pipe100 b may not be provided with a groove on its outer surface. In such anembodiment, pipe joining material 400 may be injected into the annularregion (or interstitial space) defined by inner groove 615 and the outersurface of pipe end 110 b.

Alternatively, as exemplified in FIG. 41, an inner groove 690 may beprovided in inner surface 665 of fitting 600, and an end 110 c of a pipe100 c may be provided with a groove 190 on its outer surface. In such anembodiment, after end 110 c has been inserted into fitting 600 so thatinner groove 690 and groove 190 are aligned, pipe joining material 400may be injected into the annular region (or interstitial space) definedby inner groove 690 and groove 190.

In some embodiments, pipe joining material 400 may be injected into aninterstitial space between parts of a piping system (e.g. as shown inFIGS. 39 to 41) using an injection tool that has an actuator to controlthe ejection of pipe joining material from the injection tool (such as apipe sealing tool 2000, as discussed subsequently). Accordingly, a userof the injection tool may position an outlet of the injection tool in(or adjacent to) an injection passage, and then actuate the actuator toeject pipe joining material from the tool into the interstitial space.

In some embodiments, the actuator of such an injection tool may becalibrated or otherwise configured so that each actuation of theactuator ejects a predetermined volume of pipe joining material. Forexample, if the actuator comprises a trigger, lever, or other movablemember with a fixed range of motion or travel, a substantially similarvolume of pipe joining material may be ejected from the injection tooleach time the actuator is moved through its range of motion.

In some embodiments, the injection tool may be calibrated or otherwiseconfigured so that the volume of pipe joining material ejected for eachactuation of the actuator is based on an estimated volume of aninterstitial space between parts of a piping system. The interstitialspace refers to the space between opposed facing surfaces of the partsto be connected and includes the volume of the groove if a groove isprovided. For example, if pipes of one or more standard diameters areused, and grooves of a substantially uniform depth and width areprovided, the volume of the interstitial space between parts to bejoined may be estimated based on the diameter of the pipe. If the volumeof the interstitial space is known (or can be estimated with areasonable degree of accuracy), the injection tool may be calibrated orotherwise configured so that the volume of pipe joining material ejectedfor each actuation of the actuator is substantially equal to a knownfraction of the volume of the interstitial space. In this way, a user ofthe injection tool may be able to actuate the actuator a certain numberof times and be confident that the interstitial space has been filledwith pipe joining material.

For example, if the actuator is calibrated to eject a volume of pipejoining material equal to (or slightly greater than) a third of theestimated volume of an interstitial space, a user may actuate theactuator three times and be confident that sufficient pipe joiningmaterial has been injected (i.e. that the interstitial space has beenfilled). Similarly, the actuator may be calibrated to eject a volume ofpipe joining material equal to (or slightly greater than) half of theestimated volume of an interstitial space, and a user may safely assumethat sufficient pipe joining material has been injected after actuatingthe actuator two times. Similarly, the actuator may be calibrated toeject a volume of pipe joining material equal to (or slightly greaterthan) the estimated volume of an interstitial space, and a user maysafely assume that sufficient pipe joining material has been injectedafter actuating the actuator once.

It will also be appreciated that while only one annular space or cavityinto which pipe joining material may be injected was provided in each ofFIGS. 39 to 40, two or more axially spaced apart grooves defining two ormore cavities (into which pipe joining material may be injected,separately or together) may be provided on a pipe end and/or within ahollow fitting.

Also, while in FIGS. 32 to 38, the annular space or cavity into whichpipe joining material may be injected was shown as being defined betweena pipe end and a hollow fitting, it will be appreciated that the ends oftwo pipes may be joined without the use of a separate fitting.

For example, as exemplified in FIGS. 42 and 43, in some embodiments oneof the ends of one of the pipes may be flared or otherwise shaped toreceive an end of the other pipe, which may obviate the need for fitting600.

For example, as exemplified in FIG. 42, an end 310 of a pipe 300 may beflared to provide an opening 360 in which an end 110 of a pipe 100 maybe inserted.

Preferably, pipe end 310 and/or pipe end 110 is configured such thatpipe 100 may be inserted up to (and preferably only up to) apredetermined distance into pipe 300. This may assist in aligning one ormore features (e.g. injection passages, grooves) of the fitting and/orthe pipe end with each other. For example, an inner tapered surface 345of pipe 300 may act as an abutment surface for an end face 105 of pipe100.

As exemplified in FIG. M-9, end 110 of pipe 100 has been inserted intoend 310 of pipe 300 until end face 105 abuts abutment surface 345, aninjection passage 332 has been drilled in end 310, and pipe joiningmaterial 400 has been injected into groove 115 via inlet 330 ofinjection passage 332.

While not shown, it will be appreciated that in alternative embodiments,an inner groove may be provided in inner surface 365 of pipe end 310,without providing a groove on pipe 100 (e.g. as per FIG. 40 ), or aninner recess may be provided in inner surface 365 of pipe end 310 alongwith a recess on pipe 100 (e.g. as per FIG. 41).

It will be appreciated that, in an alternate embodiment, hollow fitting600 may be sized to be received in pipe 100, 200.

Pipe Sealing Tool

Reference is now made to FIGS. 44 to 55, which exemplify a pipe sealingtool 2000 (which may also be referred to as a pipe sealing gun) that maybe used with any apparatus or method disclosed herein or may be used byitself.

Tool 2000 is utilized to inject pipe sealing material into theinterstitial space between a pipe and a fitting and/or into a groove.Accordingly, as exemplified, tool 2000 comprises a pipe joining materialsection, referred to generally as 2100, for holding pipe joiningmaterial for injection into a cavity, and an actuator, referred togenerally as 2200, drivingly connected to the pipe joining materialsection for drawing pipe joining material from the pipe joining materialsection and out an injection or delivery nozzle of tool 2000.

Pipe joining material section 2100 is configured to hold or retain pipejoining material that is to be injected into a cavity. For example, pipejoining material section 2100 may comprise a cavity that receives pipejoining material and is adapted to eject the pipe joining material at asufficient pressure such that the pipe joining material may be fill therequired space to join to parts of a piping system together. If the pipejoining material is not fluid at ambient temperature, then the pipejoining material section 2100 may also prepare the pipe joining materialfor injection into a cavity, which may include conveying the pipejoining material within tool 2000 to a heating section in tool 2000and/or heating the pipe joining material prior to injection.

Pipe joining material 400 may be supplied as a solid cylindrical tube orstick 2150. Accordingly, pipe joining material section 2100 may beconfigured to receive stick 2150 and heat the stick to produce aflowable pipe joining material that is ejected through nozzle 2110.Therefore, as exemplified in FIG. 49, pipe joining material section 2100may comprise a delivery nozzle 2110, a heating section 2120, atransition section 2130, and an alignment section 2140.

Preferably, pipe joining material sticks 2150 are formed as elongatedcylinders, and may be provided with engagement members, preferablyfemale engagement members, such as a plurality of teeth or grooves orrecesses 2155 for engagement with mating engagement members of actuator2200, as will be discussed further subsequently. (As noted previously,pipe joining material may comprise from 1 to 95 wt % PVC and/or CPVC andfrom 15 to 95% polyamide, based on a total weight of the pipe joiningmaterial.)

Alignment section 2140 acts to receive and optionally to coaxially alignand guide a stick 2150 of pipe joining material 400 into transitionsection 2130 and hot material section 2122. Accordingly, alignmentsection 2140 is configured to receive stick 2150. For example, tool 2000may be configured to accept sticks 2150 via a pipe joining materialreceiving port 2001 aligned with pipe joining material section 2100.Accordingly, a user may slide a stick 2150 into alignment section 2140as required. Alternatively, alignment section 2140 may have an openabledoor and, when the door is opened, stick 2150 may be inserted into achamber.

While alignment section 2140 is shown as a separate component, it willbe appreciated that one or more components of housing 2005 may beconfigured to act as an alignment section for pipe joining materialstick 2150.

Optional transition section 2130 acts as a guide for pipe joiningmaterial stick 2150, and/or as a thermal barrier between alignmentsection 2140 and a hot material section 2122. Transition section 2130 ispreferably made of a thermally insulating material that also has a lowcoefficient of friction with the pipe joining material when it is ineither a liquid or solid state. In some embodiments, transition section2130 is made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). A retaining band 2132may be provided to secure transition section 2130 to hot materialsection 2122.

Transition section 2130 may also be configured to secure pipe joiningmaterial section 2100 within tool housing 2005. For example, transitionsection 2130 may be provided with a groove 2134 that engages with aninterior wall 2106 of housing 2005, so that a load applied to deliverynozzle 2110 along the longitudinal axis of pipe joining material section2100 (such as when delivery nozzle 2110 is pressed against a surface ofa pipe) is transferred to wall 2106, restraining pipe joining materialsection 2100 within housing 2005. As will be appreciated, pipe joiningmaterial section 2100 may additionally, or otherwise, be restrainedagainst movement relative to housing 2005. It will be appreciated thattransition section 2130 may be part of alignment section 2140.

Heating section 2120 is configured to heat the pipe joining material toa desired temperature for use and may be of any design known in the art.As exemplified, heating section 2120 may comprise a hot material section2122, which defines a chamber to contain the pipe joining material as itis heated, surrounded by a heater 2124, such as a band heater.Accordingly, hot material section 2122 defines a chamber in which pipejoining material 400 may be melted or liquefied. It will be appreciatedthat the pipe joining material at the upstream end of hot materialsection 2122 (i.e. the portion adjacent transition section 2130) may besolid and may fit sufficiently tightly so as to prevent liquefied pipejoining material flowing upstream to transition section 2130.

Heating section 2120 may be controlled by any mechanism. For example,the heating element(s) in heating section 2120 may be actuated when pipejoining material is being advanced through the section, such as by thelever 2020. Alternatively, the heating elements may be actuated tomaintain the pipe joining material at a desired temperature ortemperature range. Accordingly, heating element(s) in heating section2120 may be operatively connected to control electronics 2300 and/or apower supply by wires (not shown). In some embodiments, heating section2120 comprises a temperature sensor such as a thermocouple (not shown)to measure the temperature of the band heater, the temperature of thepipe joining material at one or more locations within heating section2120, and/or a temperature of the hot material section 2122. The powersupply may be one or more on-board batteries or power drawn from anexternal power supply, such as an external battery or an AC cord that isconfigured to plug into a household electrical outlet.

Delivery nozzle 2110 may be of any design for ejecting liquefied pipejoining material 400 from tool 2000. As exemplified, delivery nozzlecomprises a separate optional heat tip 2112 and nozzle 2114. It will beappreciated that delivery nozzle 2110 may comprise a single componentacting as both nozzle and heat tip. If passages 632, 637 are preformed,nozzle 2114 may be sized to be received therein. Alternatively, if tool2000 is used to form the passages, nozzle 2114 may be sized to bereceived in the passages so formed.

As noted previously, an actuator may be provided to drivingly advancepipe joining material through pipe joining material section 2100.Actuator 2200 may be of any design that is useable to cause pipe joiningmaterial 400 to pass through tool 2000. Therefore, the design may varybased on the configuration of, e.g., the pipe joining material receivingchamber. For example, if the chamber holds liquid pipe joining material,actuator 2200 may be configured to constrict the chamber or pressurizethe chamber to eject the liquid pipe joining material. If the pipejoining material is inserted into tool 2000 as a solid, then actuator2200 may be configured to directly or indirectly interact with the solidpipe joining material. For example, actuator 2200 may actuate a motorthat drives a member that moves the solid pipe joining material intoheating section 2120. Alternatively, actuator 2200 may directly interactwith stick 2150 such as by having engagement members that are configuredto engage and advance stick 2150. Optionally, as exemplified, stick 2150is provided with mating engagement members (e.g., recesses 2155). Forexample, as exemplified in FIG. 51, actuator 2200 may comprise lever2020, a pipe joining material engaging member 2210 having one or morepipe joining material engaging pawls 2212, and an actuator sled 2220.Actuator sled 2220 may be supported in a track 2013 in housing 2005, orotherwise supported within tool 2000 such that actuator sled 2220 can betranslated substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of pipe joiningmaterial section 2100.

As exemplified in FIGS. 52 and 53, a cam surface 2023 of lever 2020 mayengage a flange 2224 of actuator sled 2220 so that when lever 2020 ismoved towards tool handle 2002, a rotational movement of lever 2020results in a linear motion of actuator sled 2220 and pipe joiningmaterial engaging member 2210, generally parallel to pipe joiningmaterial section 2100. Therefore, as actuator 2200 is depressed, theengagement of pawls 2212 into recesses 2155 causes stick 2150 to advancein the downstream direction.

As discussed above, in some embodiments actuator 2200 may configured sothat each time it is actuated, a substantially similar volume of pipejoining material is ejected from delivery nozzle 2110. For example, tool2000 may be configured such that each time lever 2020 is squeezedagainst handle 2002, actuator sled 2220 is advanced the same distance,and the engagement of pawls 2212 and recesses 2155 cause stick 2150 toadvance the same distance towards heating section 2120 and/or deliverynozzle 2110. In this way, a substantially similar volume of pipe joiningmaterial 400 will be ejected in response to each actuation of actuator2200.

In some embodiments, an interlock 2230 may be provided to disengage theactuator from the stick 2150 or other actuation mechanism. Asexemplified, interlock 2230 may reposition pipe joining materialengaging member 2210 relative to actuator sled 2220 between an engagingposition where the one or more pipe joining material engaging pawls 2212engage with one or more teeth provided on pipe joining material stick2150 (see e.g. FIGS. 52 and 53), and a non-engaging position where theone or more pipe joining material engaging pawls 2212 do not engage withone or more teeth provided on pipe joining material stick 2150 (see e.g.FIG. 54). As a result, when pipe joining material engaging member 2210is in the engaging position, applying a force to lever 2020 towardshandle 2002 results in a force being applied to pipe joining materialstick 2150 by pipe joining material engaging pawls 2212 to move the pipejoining material in the downstream direction, and when pipe joiningmaterial engaging member 2210 is in the non-engaging position, actuatorsled 2220 and pipe joining material engaging member 2210 can be moved inthe downstream direction towards alignment section 2140 without applyinga force to pipe joining material stick 2150.

For example, interlock 2230 may comprise a rotatable dial 2232 formedwith—or connected to—a cam surface 2233 that interfaces with a rear end2216 of pipe joining material engaging member 2210 such that by rotatingdial 2232 in one direction, cam surface 2233 may drive pipe joiningmaterial engaging member 2210 away from actuator sled 2220 therebyrepositioning pipe joining material engaging member 2210 to thenon-engaging position. Similarly, by rotating dial 2232 in the otherdirection or further in the same direction, a biasing member (not shown)may drive pipe joining material engaging member 2210 towards actuatorsled 2220 thereby repositioning pipe joining material engaging member2210 to the engaging position.

Other interlock mechanisms may be used. For example, the interlockmechanism may be a member that inhibits lever 2020 being depressed, suchas a guard or a pin that is inserted in front of lever 2020 as aphysical barrier to inward movement of lever 2020.

Optionally, tool 2000 may include a member to issue a signal when anamount of pipe joining material that is sufficient to fill a determined(or estimated) volume of a cavity into which pipe joining material is tobe injected has been injected into the cavity. The member may be apressure sensor, temperature sensor or volume analyzer.

For example, as exemplified in FIG. 53, an electromagnetic transducer(such as a load cell) or other force sensor 2250 may be provided tomeasure a net force applied to lever 2020, such as when the lever isbeing advanced towards handle 2002. Accordingly, when pipe joiningmaterial engaging member 2210 is engaged with one or more recessesprovided on pipe joining material stick 2150, and a user squeezes lever2020, transducer 2250 may output (e.g. via cable 2253) a signalindicative of the cavity being filled. For example, when the cavity isfilled, the resistance to movement of pipe joining material stick 2150forwardly through pipe joining material section 2100 will increase andforce sensor 2250 may then cause a signal to issue (which may be audioand/or visual and/or tactile, such as a vibrator). This signal thereforeindicates when the cavity is filled. In some embodiments, the signal maybe proportional to the resistance provided to pipe joining materialstick 2150 being advanced forwardly through pipe joining materialsection 2100 towards delivery nozzle 2110. In this case, the signallevel may change (e.g., increase) as the resistance of lever 2020 tomovement increases thereby providing a warning as the cavity is filled.

Transducer 2250 is preferably located between first and second flanges2222, 2224 that extend from actuator sled 2220. First transducer flange2222 may be relatively thicker than second transducer flange, and/orotherwise shaped or constructed so that flange 2222 is more resistant tolateral force than flange 2224. In this way, when cam surface 2022engages second transducer flange 2224, second transducer flange 2224 maybe displaced towards first transducer flange 2222, actuating transducer2250. This arrangement accounts for the relative movement of cam surface2022 (travelling on the arcuate path of lever 2020) and actuator sled2220 (travelling in a linear path substantially parallel to pipe joiningmaterial section 2100) as lever 2020 is brought towards handle 2002 byallowing cam surface 2023 to move across a face of transducer flange2224 while still actuating transducer 2250.

Alternatively, or additionally, a pressure sensor (not shown) may belocated elsewhere within pipe joining material section 2100 (e.g. withinhot material section 2122) and operable to measure the pressure ofliquefied pipe joining material 400. A signal representing an increasein pressure of liquefied pipe joining material to a predetermined levelmay be indicative that a cavity into which the pipe joining material isbeing injecting is full.

Alternatively, or additionally, a temperature sensor (not shown), suchas an infra-red (IR) thermometer may be located on a front facingsurface of the housing 2005 (e.g. in an aperture 2003), and configuredto measure a surface temperature of an object, such as a pipe or ahousing, into which a liquefied pipe joining material is being injectedby gun 2000. A signal representing that the surface temperature of theobject has reached a predetermined value may be indicative that a cavityinto which the pipe joining material is being injecting is full.

Alternatively, or additionally, a volume analyzer (not shown) configuredto determine a volume (or an estimated volume) of a cavity into whichpipe joining material will be injected may be provided. For example, thevolume analyzer may comprise a sensor (not shown), such as a cameramounted on a forward facing surface of housing 2005 (e.g. in an aperture2003), configured to determine a diameter of a pipe and to provide asignal to control electronics 2300 for determining, based on the pipediameter, a volume of a cavity into which pipe joining material is to beinjected. For example, for a pipe of a given diameter, a controller orthe like may be programmed with the volume of pipe joining materialrequired to fill a cavity when a particular hollow fitting 600 isutilized.

In embodiments where actuator 2200 is configured so that each time it isactuated, a substantially similar volume of pipe joining material isejected from delivery nozzle 2110, the volume analyzer and/or controlelectronics 2300 may be configured to display an indication to a user(e.g. via display screen 2350) as to how many times actuator 2200 shouldbe actuated to ensure the cavity into which pipe joining material is tobe injected is filled with pipe joining material.

Where a volume analyzer is provided, a delivery analyser (not shown) mayalso be provided. The delivery analyzer is configured to determine whenan amount of pipe joining material sufficient to fill a determined (orestimated) volume of a cavity into which pipe joining material is to beinjected. For example, a linear encoder may be provided to track themovement of a pipe joining material stick 2150 as it advances throughpipe joining material section 2100. Provided an average diameter of thepipe joining material section 2100 is known, a volume of pipe joiningmaterial ejected from delivery nozzle 2110 may then be determined basedon the advancement of pipe joining material stick 2150. As anotherexample, a rotary encoder may be provided at the connection 2004 betweenlever 2020 and handle 2002, and a linear advancement of pipe joiningmaterial stick 2150 may be determined based on the rotation of lever2020. A flow meter may alternatively be utilized.

As will be appreciated, a delivery analyzer may also be provided inembodiments without a volume analyzer. For example, a user may be ableto select from one or more standard pipe diameters, using a dedicatedswitch (not shown), a user interface associated with display 2350, orother means. Alternatively, the delivery analyzer may be configured todetermine when a default or other predetermined quantity of pipe joiningmaterial has been ejected from delivery nozzle 2110.

Control electronics 2300 may be operatively coupled to some or all ofthe electronic sub-components of tool 2000. For example, controlelectronics 2300 may be coupled to heater 2124 and/or one or moretemperature sensors (not shown) in heating section 2120 to regulate thetemperature of pipe joining material within hot material section 2122.Control electronics 2300 may also be coupled to transducer 2250 and/orother sensors for determining when a cavity has been filled by pipejoining material ejected from delivery nozzle 2110.

Control electronics 2300 may also be configured to perform calculationsfor one or more of the volume analyzer, delivery analyzer, or othercomponents coupled to tool 2000.

Control electronics 2300 may also be operatively coupled to one or moresignaling members to convey information to a user of gun 2000 regardingthe status of one or more monitored conditions. For example, a displayscreen 2350 may be provided to provide an indication that pipe joiningmaterial within pipe joining material section 2100 is at a suitabletemperature to be ejected from delivery nozzle 2110. Display screen 2350may also provide an indication that the output from one or more sensors,such as force sensor 2250 to issue a signal to a user of tool 2000 whenthe output from the one or more sensors is indicative that a cavity intowhich pipe joining material is being ejected has been filled.

Display screen 2350 may be any suitable display device, such as, forexample, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a segment display, an OrganicLED (OLED) display, a light emitting diode (LED) display, or anelectrophoretic display. Display screen 2350 may also be a touch screendisplay, capable of receiving input from a user.

Other signaling members may be provided as an alternative to, or inaddition to, display screen 2350. For example, an audio signallingmember 2360 such as an electroacoustic transducer (or speaker) may beconfigured to provide an audible tone in response to a sensor detectingthat a cavity has been filled, and/or when otherwise directed by controlelectronics 2300. As another example, a vibrating member such as avibratory electric motor 2370, or other actuator, may be configured toprovide haptic feedback to a user of tool 2000 when a sensor detectsthat a cavity has been filled, and/or when otherwise directed by controlelectronics 2300. As yet another example, one or more indicator lights(such as LEDs) may be incorporated into tool 2000 and configured toilluminate, strobe, and/or change colour in response to a sensordetecting that a cavity has been filled, and/or when otherwise directedby control electronics 2300. For example, one or more battery indicatorlights (not shown) may be provided to convey information to a userregarding the status of a battery coupled to tool 2000.

Control electronics 2300 may also comprise a data logging module (notshown) for recording data related to one or more sensors and/oroperations of tool 2000. For example, the data logging module may recorddata corresponding to a volume of pipe joining material ejected fromdelivery nozzle 2110, which may be estimated using data collected fromthe delivery analyzer. The data logging module may be configured torecord a volume of pipe joining material ejected during each actuationof lever 2020, a total volume of pipe joining material ejected into eachcavity (e.g. based on the volume of pipe joining material ejectedbetween control electronics 2300 receiving signals from transducer 2250or other sensor(s) indicative that a cavity into which the pipe joiningmaterial is being injecting is full), a total volume of pipe joiningmaterial ejected (e.g. based on a number of pipe joining material sticksthat pass through pipe joining material section 2100), and/or a numberof cavities that are filled (again, which may be based on a number ofsignals indicative that a cavity has been filled) and this informationmay be time stamped or otherwise tagged to provide an output, e.g., ofthe cavities filled per hour or per shift. The data logging module mayalso record data corresponding to a number of signals issued by thesignaling member.

The data logging module may also record operational parameters one ormore components of tool 2000, such as temperature readings from heatingsection 2120, electrical current draw by band heater 2124, force datafrom force sensor 2250, pressure date from a pressure sensor within pipejoining material section 2100, temperature data from an IR thermometer,etc.

The data logging module may also include a timing module, and beconfigured to record data corresponding to the time(s) at which a volumeof pipe joining material was ejected from the delivery nozzle, which maybe an absolute time (e.g. 12:00 am on May 24), and/or a relative time(e.g. 20 minutes since the last time a volume of pipe joining materialwas ejected from the delivery nozzle). Time information may also berecorded for other operational parameters, such as when band heater 2124was turned on and off.

In this way, the data logging module may be operable to record adetailed log of the use of the tool throughout a predetermined timeperiod, such as a working day, work week, or throughout a particularpiping system installation project.

Control electronics 2300 may be configured to display some or all of thelogged data on display screen 2350. Alternatively, or additionally,control electronics may comprise a communications module (not shown)configured to establish a communication channel between the data loggingmodule and a computing device, such as a laptop computer, tabletcomputing device, mobile communication device, remote server, etc. Thecommunication channel may be established by the communication moduleusing any suitable wired or wireless protocol, and may be configured asa personal area network (PAN), a point-to-point network, or any othersuitable network topology. Wired communication may be conducted inaccordance with Universal Serial Bus (USB) standards, and tool 2000 maybe provided with a Standard, Mini, or Micro USB port (not shown).Examples of wireless communication include standards developed by theInfrared Data Association (IrDA), Near Field Communication (NFC), andthe 803.11 family of standards developed by the Institute of Electricaland Electronics Engineers (IEEE). In some embodiments, a relativelyshort-range wireless communications protocol such as Bluetooth® orWireless USB may be used.

The communications module may be configured to transmit some or all ofthe recorded data to the computing device over the communicationchannel, so that data logged by tool 2000 may be reviewed, stored,and/or audited. For example, data logged by tool 2000 may be used tocompare an amount of pipe joining material actually ejected by tool 2000with a number of pipe joining material sticks requisitioned by a user oftool 2000 to confirm that the pipe joining material sticks provided to auser were actually used. The logged data may also be compared with aninstallation plan for a piping system being assembled, to confirm thatthe total number of cavities actually filled using tool 2000 correspondswith the total number of cavities required to be filled to correctlyinstall the piping system.

Returning to FIG. 48, pipe connecting tool 2000 may comprise a drillingassembly 2400. As shown in FIG. 50, drilling assembly 2400 may comprisea drill chuck 2410, which may be keyless, for supporting a drill bit2405. Chuck 2410 is shown with jaws or a collet 2414 and an outer sleeve2412 for loosening or tightening the jaws about the drill bit. Set screw2416 may be used to secure the chuck to the output shaft of a motor,such as electric motor 2440. One or more bearings 2425 and/or mountingplates 2430 may also be provided.

Optionally, as exemplified in FIG. 44, a drill guide 2460 may beprovided to engage a surface to be drilled (such as the surface of apipe fitting) to ensure drill bit 2405 only penetrates the object beingdrilled by a predetermined distance. For example, when drilling into ahollow fitting mounted on an end of a pipe, drill guide 2460 may allowdrill bit 2405 to penetrate the hollow fitting 600, but not penetrate orsubstantially penetrate the end of the pipe. It will be appreciated thatdifferent sized drill guides and/or drill bits may be provided with tool2000, depending on an expected thickness and/or outer curvature of theobject (such as a hollow fitting) being drilled. Drill guide 2460 may bedepth adjustable if fittings 600 or pipes of differing thicknesses areused.

Motor 2440 may be selectively actuated by bringing lever 2020 towardshandle 2002 so that motor switch 2450 (see FIG. 45) is engaged by amotor actuation flange 2214 of pipe joining material engaging member2210 (as shown in FIG. 54).

As noted previously, optional interlock 2230 may allow actuator 2200 tobe selectively engaged with pipe joining material stick 2150 to advancethe pipe joining material through pipe joining material section 2100,for ejection from delivery nozzle 2110. In some embodiments, interlock2230 may be operable to alternately drivingly connect lever 2020 toactuate or cause the advancement of pipe joining material 400 and toactuate motor 2440.

For example, when pipe joining material engaging member 2210 is in theengaging position, motor actuation flange 2214 may be positioned so thatit will not actuate motor switch 2450 when lever 2020 is brought towardshandle 2002, and when pipe joining material engaging member 2210 is inthe non-engaging position, motor actuation flange 2214 may be positionedso that it will actuate motor switch 2450 when lever 2020 is broughttowards handle 2002. In this way, interlock 2230 may be operable toselect whether bringing lever 2020 towards handle 2002 will activate thedrill motor or advance pipe joining material stick 2150 through pipejoining material section 2100, for ejection from delivery nozzle 2110.

It will be appreciated that interlock 2230 may also be configured toselectively position pipe joining material engaging member 2210 relativeto actuator sled 2220 in a neutral position wherein neither motor switch2450, nor actuator 2200, is engaged when lever 2020 is brought towardshandle 2002.

Returning to FIG. 44, pipe joining material section 2100, controlelectronics 2300, and drilling assembly 2400 are preferably containedwithin a housing 2005. In the illustrated embodiment, housing 2005primarily comprises complimentary housing portions 2005 a and 2005 b. Asexemplified in FIG. 45, housing portions 2005 a, 2005 b may be securedto each other using screws or other mechanical fasteners insertedthrough fastener ports 2006 in housing portion 2005 b to engage housingportion 2005 b. It will be appreciated that, in variant embodiments,housing 2005 may comprise more or fewer housing portions, and that thehousing portions may be secured in any suitable fashion.

Housing 2005 may also be provided with a plurality of ventilation holes2008 a in proximity to the heating section 2120. Also, one or moreventilation holes or slots 2008 b may be provided in proximity to motor2440.

Housing 2005 may also be provided with apertures for one or moreauxiliary switches, such as a main power switch 2009 (see FIG. 45) forselectively connecting a power supply such as an external battery (notshown) or a main power supply, and/or a mute switch 2007 (see FIG. 44)for selectively enabling or disabling speaker 2360 and/or othersignalling member(s).

Housing 2005 may also be configured to accommodate one or more lightsources (such as LEDs) on a front facing surface of gun 2000 (e.g. in anaperture 2003), for illuminating a surface of an object to be drilledand/or into which pipe joining material is to be ejected.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 56 and 57, which exemplify anotherexample embodiment of a pipe sealing tool 3000, which may also bereferred to as a pipe sealing gun 3000. Similar to tool 2000, tool 3000includes a pipe joining material section 3100, an actuator 3200, and adrill assembly 3400. Components similar to those in tool 2000 have beensimilarly numbered, and will not be described further.

Tool 3000 comprises a separate trigger 3460 for activating drillassembly 3400. As trigger 3460 is brought towards handle 3002, triggerflange 3462 engages motor switch 3450 to selectively actuate drill motor3440. A master drill motor on/off switch 3464 may be provided to controlwhether squeezing trigger 3460 will actuate drill motor 3440. Forexample, switch 3464 may be positioned or toggled so that switch 3450 iselectrically coupled or decoupled from motor 3440 and/or a power supplysupplying power to motor 3440 (not shown).

Actuator 3200 is similar to actuator 2200, but pipe joining materialengaging member 3210 is not configured to actuate motor 3440. Interlock3230 may be configured to reposition pipe joining material engagingmember 3210 relative to actuator sled 3220 between an engaging positionwhere the one or more pipe joining material engaging pawls 3212 canengage with one or more teeth provided on pipe joining material stick2150, and a non-engaging position where the one or more pipe joiningmaterial engaging pawls 3212 do not engage with one or more teethprovided on pipe joining material stick 2150.

Pipe Joining Material

Various pipe joining materials are disclosed herein. These pipe joiningmaterials may be used with the any of apparatuses and methods describedherein. For example, the compositions may be used with any embodiment ofthe pipe sealing tool disclosed herein and/or with any method orapparatus for joining parts of parts of a piping system and/or forconnecting parts of a piping system wherein a part has been preparedusing any embodiment of the pipe cutting tool disclosed herein.

Preferably, the pipe joining material comprises a thermoplastic materialand a bonding agent for the thermoplastic material. A thermoplasticmaterial is any material that has a hard plastic form when cool and aliquid form when heated. PVC and CPVC are thermoplastic materials. Otherthermoplastic materials, include, but are not limited to, acrylonitrilebutadiene styrene (ABS), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) and polyethylene(PE). The thermoplastic material may be selected based on thecomposition of the parts of a piping system that are to be joined, suchas a pipe and a hollow fitting. For example, the pipe joining materialmay be made of a similar thermoplastic material to that of the pipe andthe hollow fitting. Accordingly, if the pipe and hollow fitting are madeof PVC or CPVC, then the pipe joining material preferably comprises PVCand/or CPVC.

The thermoplastic material may comprise 1-95% of the pipe joiningmaterial by weight, 15-95% of the pipe joining material by weight,35-85% of the pipe joining material by weight, 50-75% of the pipejoining material by weight or 55-70% of the pipe joining material byweight. Optionally, the thermoplastic material may comprise over 50% orover 75% of the pipe joining material by weight.

The “bonding agent for the thermoplastic material” is any agent thatfunctions to bond the thermoplastic material together. For example, thebonding agent may encapsulate the thermoplastic material therebyallowing bonding or cross-linking amongst the molecules of the bondingagent. In one embodiment, the bonding or cross-linking of the moleculesof the bonding agent only occurs above a specific temperature.Preferably, bonding or cross-linking occurs at the temperature at whichthe pipe joining material is injected. The temperature at which the pipejoining material is injected is also referred to as the applicationtemperature and is preferably 60 to 200° C. or 100 to 150° C.

The bonding agent for the thermoplastic material may be selected fromthe following group: polyamide, ethylene acrylate, EVA, polyurethane,polyester, polyolephin, polycaprolacone, soy protein and styrene blockco-polymer. Preferably, the bonding agent is polyamide.

The bonding agent may comprise the rest of the pipe joining material.Accordingly, if no fillers or additives are provided, then the bondingagent may comprise 5-99% of the pipe joining material by weight, 5-85%of the pipe joining material by weight, 15-65% of the pipe joiningmaterial by weight, 25-50% of the pipe joining material by weight or30-45% of the pipe joining material by weight.

The pipe joining material may further comprise a material that increasesthe flowability (e.g., reduce the viscosity at application temperature)of the material. For example, the pipe joining material may comprise aplasticizer such as alumisol or a wax such as a microcrystalline wax.Optionally, the pipe joining material includes 0-15%, 2-10%, 3-7% or4-5% of a plasticizer by weight. It will be appreciated that a greateramount of plasticizer may be used when the pipe joining material is tobe used for a larger diameter pipe so as to reduce the viscosity of thepipe joining material at application temperature.

The pipe joining material may further comprise an anti-oxidant. Examplesof antioxidants include, but are not limited to, hindered phenols,phosphites, phosphates and hindered aromatic amines. Optionally, thepipe joining material includes 0-4% (i.e. up to 4%), preferably 0-2% ofanti-oxidant by weight.

The pipe joining material may further comprise a conductive powder.Examples of conductive powders include, but are not limited to, carbonblack, aluminum and silver. Optionally, the pipe joining materialincludes 0-10% (i.e., up to 10%), preferably 0-5% of conductive powderby weight.

At an ambient temperature, the pipe joining material may be in the formof a solid cylindrical tube or stick such that it can be received bypipe joining material section 2100. Further, as described previously,the pipe joining material is preferably in the form of an elongatedcylinder, and may be provided with engagement members, preferably femaleengagement members, such as a plurality of teeth or grooves or recesses2155 for engagement with mating engagement members of actuator 2200.Upon heating the pipe joining material to a specified temperature (alsoreferred to as the application temperature), the cylindrical tube orstick becomes fluid such that it can be injected into the interstitialspace between parts of a piping system that are to be secured together.Preferably, the application temperature is 60 to 200° C. or 100 to 150°C. Ambient temperature (also described as room temperature) isoptionally 15 to 25° C.

Various methods may be used to make the pipe joining material. Forexample, the pipe joining material can be formed by:

-   -   (a) providing a thermoplastic material;    -   (b) providing a bonding agent for the thermoplastic material;    -   (c) mixing the thermoplastic material with the bonding agent to        obtain a mixture;    -   (d) optionally heating the mixture to a forming temperature and        shaping the mixture at the forming temperature; and    -   (e) optionally cooling the shaped mixture to a temperature below        the forming temperature to obtain the pipe joining material.

The mixture of the thermoplastic material with the bonding agent ispreferably a mechanical mixture. As used herein, the term “mechanicalmixture” refers to a mixture where the chemical components are notchemically bound to each other. The mixture of the thermoplasticmaterial with the bonding agent is preferably a mechanical mixture at anambient temperature. It will be appreciated that the mechanical mixturemay be obtained without heating (e.g., at ambient temperature).Alternately, the temperature may be increased to permit thethermoplastic material and the bonding agent, with any additionalcomponents, to be mixed. For example, one or both of the thermoplasticmaterial and the bonding agent may be provided as a loose aggregatematerial (e.g. a powder) and mechanically mixed and subjected topressure to provide a solid which may have a generally uniformdistribution of the thermoplastic material and the bonding agent. Insome embodiments, one of the thermoplastic material and the bondingagent may be encapsulated in the other. For example, the thermoplasticmaterial may be encapsulated in the bonding agent.

After the mechanical mixture is obtained, or as part of forming themechanical mixture, the mixture may be formed into any desired shape.The forming is preferable conducted at ambient temperatures. Exampleprocesses are as follows.

In one embodiment, a stick of pipe joining material may be formed byproviding a thin film of one of the materials, preferably the bondingagent. The other ingredients, e.g., the thermoplastic, may be providedon an upper surface of the thin film. For example, the PVC may beprovided or distributed on the upper surface of the bonding agent as anaggregate such as a powder. The thin film may then be rolled andoptionally compressed to form a stick.

In another embodiment, isostatic pressing may be used. For example, theingredients, which may be in the form of aggregate such as a powder, maybe introduced into a mold. Preferably, the aggregates or powders aremixed before being introduced into the mold so as to form, e.g., arelatively uniform dispersion. The material may then be subjected tocompression while in the mold so as to form a solid block, e.g., astick, of pipe joining material.

Optionally, the forming may be conducted at elevated temperatures. Theforming temperature is a temperature at which the pipe joining materialmay be formed into a specific shape, such as a cylindrical tube or stickthat can be received by pipe joining material section 2100. An advantageof using an elevated forming temperature is that the ingredients may bemore malleable and easier to form into a desired shape. Optionally, theelevated temperature will be selected such that the bonding agent andthe thermoplastic material remain in solid form (e.g., they remain in aplastic state). A forming temperature may be used in which the bondingagent and the thermoplastic material partially or fully liquefy.However, the temperature is preferably sufficiently low such that afully miscible liquid is not formed

If the pipe joining material is formed at an elevated temperature, thepipe forming material may then be cooled to a temperature below theforming temperature (for example, ambient temperature) where it mayretain the shape in solid form. Preferably, the mixture is shaped intothe form of a cylindrical tube or stick. Preferably, the mixture hassufficient mechanical strength at ambient temperature that engagementmembers that are optionally provided will be useable to drive the formedmixture into a heating chamber of a pipe sealing tool.

As described above, the pipe joining material is preferably solid at anambient temperature and fluid at an application temperature. Uponheating the pipe joining material to a specified temperature (alsoreferred to as the application temperature), the cylindrical tube orstick becomes fluid such that it may be injected into the interstitialspace. Preferably, the application temperature is higher than theforming temperature, optionally 60 to 200° C. or 100 to 150° C.

In one embodiment, the thermoplastic material and the bonding agent ofthe pipe joining material are at least partially miscible at theapplication temperature. Accordingly, when liquefied for application, atleast a portion of the thermoplastic material may mix with the bondingagent.

The pipe joining material may also be formed by further providing, inaddition to the thermoplastic material and the bonding agent, a materialthat increases the flowability of the pipe joining material, anantioxidant and/or a conductive powder. Materials that increase theflowability of the pipe joining material, antioxidants and conductivepowders useful in pipe joining materials have been described herein.

Table I shows the composition of various pipe joining materials testedand the lap shear strength that was obtained.

TABLE 1 Bonding Agent Lap Shear Test Data and Analysis 0.5 C 20 C 40 C60 C Raw Pull Raw Pull Raw Pull Raw Pull Force Mpa/ Force Mpa/ ForceMpa/ Force Mpa/ Kg mm2 PSI Kg mm2 PSI Kg mm2 PSI Kg mm2 PSI Sample FTest 1 49.3 3.0 434.9 92.0 5.6 811.6 53.5 3.3 472.0 31.0 1.9 273.5 42.5%polyamide Test 2 76*  4.6 670.4 89.0 5.4 785.1 71.0 4.3 626.3 27.4 1.7241.3 5% Alumisol Test 3 59   3.6 520.5 98.0 6.0 864.5 68.5 4.2 604.328.9 1.8 254.5 42.5% PVC grey dust AVG 61.4 3.7 541.9 93.0 5.7 820.464.3 3.9 567.5 29.1 1.8 256.4 Sample A Test 1  94.5* 5.7 833.6 95.5 5.8842.5 38.0 2.3 335.2 31.5 1.9 277.9 50% polyamide Test 2 38   2.3 335.2106.0 6.4 935.1 41.0 2.5 361.7 34.7 2.1 305.7 50% PVC grey dust Test 344.3 2.7 390.8 110.0 6.7 970.4 54.0 3.3 476.4 23.4 1.4 206.4 AVG 58.93.6 519.9 103.8 6.3 916.0 44.3 2.7 391.1 29.9 1.8 263.3 Sample Z Test 145.2 2.7 398.7 96.0 5.8 846.9 40.0 2.4 352.9 21.1 1.3 185.7 50%polyamide Test 2 37.5 2.3 330.8 107.0 6.5 943.9 66.5 4.0 586.6 29.1 1.8256.3 50% PVC white Test 3 42.8 2.6 377.6 106.0 6.4 935.1 46.0 2.8 405.324.4 1.5 215.2 AVG 41.8 2.5 369.0 103.0 6.3 908.6 50.8 3.1 448.3 24.81.5 219.1 Sample 3789 Test 1 108.5  6.6 957.1 135.0 8.2 1190.9 69.0 4.2608.7 40.3 2.5 355.5 100% polyamide Test 2 105   6.4 926.3 133.0 8.11173.3 60.5 3.7 533.7 44.8 2.7 395.2 Test 3 111   6.8 979.2 135.0 8.21190.9 69.5 4.2 613.1 39.5 2.4 348.0 AVG 108.2  6.6 954.2 134.3 8.21185.0 66.3 4.0 585.2 41.5 2.5 366.2 Sample J Test 1 49.5 3.0 436.7 82.05.0 723.4 51.0 3.1 449.9 42.8 2.6 377.6 35% polyamide Test 2 59   3.6520.5 70.0 4.3 617.5 50.0 3.0 441.1 19.8 1.2 174.2 7% Alumisol Test 352.5 3.2 463.1 70.0 4.3 617.5 50.0 3.0 441.1 18.9 1.1 166.7 58% PVC greydust AVG 53.7 3.3 473.4 74.0 4.5 652.8 50.3 3.1 444.0 27.2 1.7 239.5Sample L Test 1 56.5 3.4 498.4 42.8 2.6 377.6 24.1 1.5 212.2 7.5 0.565.7 25% polyamide Test 2 69   4.2 608.7 55.5 3.4 489.6 27.4 1.7 241.310.0 0.6 87.8 10% polyamide Test 3 56.5 3.4 498.4 47.6 2.9 419.9 24.91.5 219.7 11.8 0.7 103.7 65% PVC grey dust AVG 60.7 3.7 535.2 48.6 3.0429.0 25.4 1.5 224.4 9.7 0.6 85.7 Sample O Test 1 67.5 4.1 595.5 38.22.3 336.5 31.6 1.9 278.8 11.0 0.7 96.6 35% polyamide Test 2 56.5 3.4498.4 39.5 2.4 348.4 34.0 2.1 299.9 14.9 0.9 131.4 5% heat stabilizerTest 3 64   3.9 564.6 71.5 4.3 630.7 23.1 1.4 203.3 14.4 0.9 127.0 60%PVC grey dust AVG 62.7 3.8 552.8 49.7 3.0 438.6 29.6 1.8 260.7 13.4 0.8118.4 Sample K Test 1 0  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 25%polyamide Test 2 0  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 7%Alumisol Test 3 0  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 68% PVCgrey dust AVG  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Sample PTest 1 37.3 2.3 329.0 80.6 4.9 711.0 37.5 2.3 330.8 23.1 1.4 203.8 40%polyamide Test 2 40.8 2.5 359.9 91.2 5.5 804.5 46.2 2.8 407.6 24.3 1.5214.4 60% PVC grey dust Test 3 47   2.9 414.6 82.3 5.0 726.0 42.0 2.6370.5 22.6 1.4 199.4 AVG 41.7 2.5 367.9 84.7 5.2 747.2 41.9 2.5 369.623.3 1.4 205.8 Sample N Test 1 51.5 3.1 454.3 58.5* 3.6 516.1 78.5 4.8692.5 54.6 3.3 481.7 40% polyamide Test 2 57   3.5 502.8 80.5 4.9 710.1106.0 6.4 935.1 49.4 3.0 435.8 60% Grey PVC dust Test 3 75.5 4.6 666.081.5 5.0 719.0 88.5 5.4 780.7 49.6 3.0 437.5 Test 4  89.5* 5.4 789.586.0 5.2 758.6 73.0 4.4 644.0 40.2 2.4 354.6 Test 5 56   3.4 494.0 96.55.9 851.3 77.0 4.7 679.3 47.8 2.9 421.7 Test 6 62   3.8 546.9 82.0 5.0723.4 92.0 5.6 811.6 54.5 3.3 480.8 AVG 65.3 4.0 575.6 85.3 4.9 752.585.8 5.2 757.2 49.4 3.0 435.3 *The bonding agent broke.

As used herein, the wording “and/or” is intended to represent aninclusive-or. That is, “X and/or Y” is intended to mean X or Y or both,for example. As a further example, “X, Y, and/or Z” is intended to meanX or Y or Z or any combination thereof.

While the above description describes features of example embodiments,it will be appreciated that some features and/or functions of thedescribed embodiments are susceptible to modification without departingfrom the spirit and principles of operation of the describedembodiments. For example, the various characteristics which aredescribed by means of the represented embodiments or examples may beselectively combined with each other. Accordingly, what has beendescribed above is intended to be illustrative of the claimed conceptand non-limiting. It will be understood by persons skilled in the artthat other variants and modifications may be made without departing fromthe scope of the invention as defined in the claims appended hereto. Thescope of the claims should not be limited by the preferred embodimentsand examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistentwith the description as a whole.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method of joining parts of a pipingsystem comprising: (a) providing a first pipe or pipe fitting; (b)providing a second pipe or pipe fitting; and, (c) joining the first pipeor pipe fitting to the second pipe or pipe fitting by inserting thefirst pipe or pipe fitting into the second pipe or pipe fitting wherebya gap is positioned between an outer surface of the first pipe or pipefitting and an inner surface of the second pipe or pipe fitting andinjecting into the gap a liquid pipe joining material comprising: (i) athermoplastic material comprising at least one of polyvinyl chloride andchlorinated polyvinyl chloride, wherein the thermoplastic materialcomprises over 75% by weight of the pipe joining material based on thetotal weight of the pipe joining material; (ii) a bonding agent for thethermoplastic material selected from the group consisting of polyamide,ethylene acrylate copolymer, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer,polyurethane, polyester, polyolefin, polycaprolactone, soy protein andstyrene block co-polymer, wherein the pipe joining material secures thefirst pipe or pipe fitting to the second pipe or pipe fitting.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: (1) heating amixture of the thermoplastic material and the bonding agent to a formingtemperature and shaping the mixture at the forming temperature; (2)cooling the shaped mixture to a temperature below the formingtemperature to obtain a solid pipe joining material; and (3)subsequently liquefying the solid pipe joining material to obtain theliquid pipe joining material, wherein steps (1) and (2) are performedbefore step (c).
 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising selectingthe pipe joining material to be solid at an ambient temperature andfluid at an application temperature.
 4. The method of claim 2, furthercomprising selecting the pipe joining material to be solid at an ambienttemperature and fluid at an application temperature that is higher thanthe forming temperature.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein a mixture ofthe thermoplastic material and the bonding agent is shaped into the formof a cylindrical tube or stick before step (c) and the method furthercomprises liquefying the cylindrical tube or stick to obtain the liquidpipe joining material.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprisingselecting the pipe joining material to be solid at an ambienttemperature and fluid at an application temperature between 60 to 200°C.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising selecting the pipejoining material to be solid at an ambient temperature and fluid at anapplication temperature between 100 to 150° C.
 8. The method of claim 1,wherein the bonding agent comprises polyimide.
 9. The method of claim 1,wherein the first pipe or pipe fitting is made of PVC or CPVC and thesecond pipe or pipe fitting is made of PVC or CPVC.